- Tbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti make a perfect first week
- British visitors can usually stay up to a year without a visa
- The FCDO advises against all travel to Abkhazia and South Ossetia
- Georgia is great value, and the food and wine are superb
- Airports
- Tbilisi (TBS), Kutaisi (KUT), Batumi (BUS)
- Flight time
- about 5h from London to Kutaisi or Tbilisi direct; 7-9h with one stop
- Best time to go
- May-June and September-October; July-August for the high mountains
- Currency
- Georgian lari (GEL)
Georgia, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has become one of the most exciting destinations within reach of the UK. Tbilisi is a captivating capital of sulphur baths, wooden balconies and a thriving food, wine and nightlife scene. Within a few hours you can be among the snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus, at hilltop churches such as Gergeti Trinity, in the medieval tower villages of Svaneti or tasting amber wine made in clay qvevri in Kakheti. Georgians take hospitality seriously, and a supra feast is an experience in itself.
Georgia is three hours ahead of the UK in summer and four in winter. Cars drive on the right, and plugs are the two-pin European type. Georgia combines well with Armenia and, by air, Azerbaijan, and it borders Turkey. This Europe guide covers where to go, when, and what it costs in 2026.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Georgia visa-free for up to one year. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. You may be asked to show travel or health insurance on arrival. The FCDO advises against all travel to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are not under Georgian government control; do not try to enter them, and keep away from the boundary lines. Large political protests have taken place in Tbilisi since late 2024, so avoid demonstrations. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Georgia
Tbilisi
Explore the old town's lanes and wooden balconies, soak in the domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani, ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress and see the Mother of Georgia statue. Rustaveli Avenue has museums and theatres, and the Fabrika hostel and courtyard is a hub for bars and cafés. The ancient former capital Mtskheta, with its UNESCO-listed churches, is a half-day trip.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
The Georgian Military Highway climbs north from Tbilisi past Ananuri Fortress and the Gudauri ski resort to Stepantsminda, where Gergeti Trinity Church sits beneath the 5,000-metre Mount Kazbek. It is about three hours' drive, and the hiking is superb.
Kakheti wine country
East of Tbilisi, Kakheti is the heart of Georgian winemaking. Base yourself in Sighnaghi, a hilltop town with views over the Alazani Valley, or Telavi, and visit wineries, monasteries and family cellars making wine in qvevri, an ancient method listed by UNESCO.
Svaneti
Remote and spectacular, Svaneti is famous for its medieval defensive towers and Caucasus peaks. Mestia is the main town, and the UNESCO-listed village of Ushguli is one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe. The Mestia to Ushguli trek takes about four days.
Kutaisi, Batumi and the west
Kutaisi has the UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery and nearby canyons and caves. Batumi, on the Black Sea, is a lively resort city with modern architecture and a seafront boulevard, popular in summer. The cave city of Vardzia, carved into a cliff in the south, is another highlight.
Best time to visit Georgia
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-June) | Green valleys, comfortable sightseeing; high mountains still snowy |
| Summer (July-August) | Hot in Tbilisi (often 30 °C+), best for hiking in Kazbegi and Svaneti; beach season in Batumi |
| Autumn (September-October) | Grape harvest (rtveli) in Kakheti, golden colours, ideal weather |
| Winter (November-March) | Cold, skiing at Gudauri and Bakuriani; some mountain roads can close |
Getting to Georgia from the UK
Direct flights take about five hours. Low-cost flights have run from London to Kutaisi (KUT), about three hours by road from Tbilisi, and Georgian Airways and others have operated direct flights to Tbilisi (TBS) at times, though schedules change. Otherwise, connect via Istanbul, Warsaw, Vienna, Munich, Riga or the Gulf, with a total journey of around seven to nine hours. Batumi (BUS) is handy for the Black Sea coast.
Getting around
Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) go almost everywhere cheaply but can be cramped and fast-driven. Trains link Tbilisi with Batumi, Kutaisi and other towns, and the overnight train to Zugdidi is the start of the route to Svaneti. Hiring a driver for day trips is common and affordable. Car hire is possible, but driving standards can be erratic and mountain roads demanding. Bolt and Yandex Go work in Tbilisi and Batumi.
Money and costs
The Georgian lari (GEL) is the currency. Cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi and Batumi, but carry cash in the countryside. Georgia is very good value: a feast with wine might cost 40-70 lari (roughly £12-20) per person, and a comfortable guesthouse or mid-range hotel around £30-80 a night. Budget roughly £45-80 per person per day for a mid-range trip.
Order khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (soup dumplings, eaten by hand without the top knot) and a glass of amber qvevri wine, and pace yourself if invited to a supra.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble-free, and crime against tourists is low. Stay away from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as the FCDO advises, and avoid political protests in Tbilisi.
Is Georgia in Europe or Asia?
Both, depending on who you ask. It sits in the Caucasus between the two, and Georgians generally see themselves as European.
How many days do you need in Georgia?
A week covers Tbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Svaneti, Kutaisi or Vardzia.
Can you combine Georgia and Armenia?
Yes. Minibuses, shared taxis and an overnight train link Tbilisi and Yerevan, and the border crossing is usually straightforward.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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